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Drug-test Positives Falling

DRUG TESTING

November 1994

SmithKline Beecham Clinical Laboratories reports that positive drug tests have declined for the first half of 1994, following a seven-year trend (SmithKline Beecham Clinical Laboratories News Release, Aug. 4, 1994; CESAR FAX, Oct. 31, 1994).

7.8% of more than 1.8 million general workplace (non-safety sensitive transportation) tests were positive between January and June, down from 8.5% for that same period in 1993. There was an increase of 8.8% in the number of positive tests for marijuana in the general workplace between 1993 and 1994.

Positive Results by Drug Category for General Workforce

Drug Category Jan-June 1994 Jan-June 1993 Jan-June 1992
Marijuana 43.3% 39.8% 40.0%
Cocaine 24.3% 25.0% 26.5%
Benzodiazephines, class of tranquilizer: e.g., Valium or Librium 11.5% 13.0% 12.7%
Opiates 8.9% 10.1% 9.2%
Barbiturates 4.5% 4.5% 4.9%
Propoxyphene (e.g. Darvon) 1.8% 2.0% 2.3%
Methadone 1.8% 1.4% 2.0%
Amphetamines 3.1% 3.5% 1.7%
PCP 0.7% 0.7% 0.6%
Methaqualone 0.02% 0.05% 0.05%

SmithKline Beecham Drug Testing Index©, January-June, 1994

Year Drug-Positive Rate
1987 18.10%
1988 13.60%
1989 12.70%
1990 11.00%
1991 8.80%
1992 8.76%
1993 8.40%
1994 (Jan.-June) 7.80%

[For more information, contact Tobey Gordon Dichter at SmithKline Beecham Clinical Laboratories, 1-800-877-7478.]